Vinesh Phogat backs support staff amid backlash after Paris heartbreak

Following Vinesh Phogat’s disqualification from the recently-concluded Paris Olympics 2024 50kg wrestling final for being 100 gram overweight, several athletes, officials and other blamed her coaches, phyios and trainers for not being able to manage her weight.

Even Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president Sanjay Singh went to the extent of questioning the presence of Vinesh’s personal coach and support staff, wondering what they were doing in Paris.

However, in her response, Vinesh thanked members of her support staff Dr Wayne Patrick Lombard, coach Woller Akos and physiotherapist Ashwini Jeevan Patil along with Indian Olympic Association (IOA)’s CMO, besides Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, after her Paris Olympics campaign ended in a heartbreak.

“Anything I write about Woller Akos will always be less. In the world of Women’s Wrestling, I have found him to be the best coach, best guide and best human being, able to handle any situation with his calmness, patience and confidence. He does not have the word impossible in his dictionary and he is always ready with a plan whenever we face a tough situation on or off the mat,” said Vinesh.

“There were times when I doubted myself, and was shifting away from my internal focus and he would know exactly what to say and how to bring me back on my path. He was more than a coach, he was my family in wrestling. He was never hungry to take credit for my victory and success, always humble and taking a step back as soon as his work was done on the mat,” she added.